Zipper Mo Bukas (Completed)

Fifty Three

Chapter Fifty Three

Keanu's point of view

We're here in my car. No one's breaking the silence. Unlike with Zia, being silent with Ali feels comforting.

I looked at her. I just noticed that she looks so restless. Despite the smiles she shows, you can see beneath her eyes what she feels.

"Keanu." I heard her whisper.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm sorry," she said. I didn't answer. "Okay lang kung papauwiin mo ako pero I want to settle this personally, I don't care kung gagastos ako ng $2,000 para sa flight ko pero I want to talk to you."

Silence.

"Go on," I finally said.
"Luke..." she broke in her tears "he... he drugged me," she said while sobbing so hard. Niyakap ko s'ya.

Natulala lang ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko sa pasabog na sinabi n'ya sa akin.

"Hush baby. I'm here. I'm here," I said while hugging her tightly.

Kahit anong gawin ko... mahal ko pa rin pala talaga si Ali.

"Matagal na pala n'ya akong gusto, Keanu. He planned it. Kahit magpa-drugtest pa ako ngayon na mismo. You know how I hate drugs and I would rather die than use it. 'Di ba niyaya ka n'ya makipag-inuman?" I nodded. "He planned it. Sinabihan n'ya ako, Keanu and you know how much I trust you all kasi ilang taon na tayong magkakaibigan pero walang nangyaring gano'n... until that night. He said he invited you guys pero nauna lang ako and we'll wait for others. Binigyan n'ya ako ng alak and after that... I don't know what happened. I woke up from being too ecstatic and you're there, your world is crashing. I was groggy that time and I remember that I drank alcohol kaya I thought lasing ako pero I sensed that something's fishy afterwards. I won't give my virginity to him cause I promised I'd give it to you when we marry each other. After one week, inamin n'ya sa akin, Keanu. Nakonsensya s'ya. Binugbog s'ya ni Drake at Ryan for doing that and yes, nakakulong na s'ya ngayon because it's rape. He raped me Keanu kahit na that time parang gusto ko but it's because he drugged me." She sobbed harder. "I've never felt dirty but now I do. Keanu," sabi n'ya habang nakatitig sa mata ko at hinahawakan ang pisngi ko, pinupunasan ang luha na kumawala na pala sa mga mata ko sa sobrang galit at pagsisisi. "I love you. I always do. I know no amount of sorry will bring us back but at least let me clear my name and my love for you."

I cupped her face and kissed her tears.

"Tahan na Ali. I know it's been hard. I'm sorry baby I left you. I'm sorry," I said while hugging her tight. She just sobbed on my chest.

I feel na kasalanan ko na naman ang lahat. That it's my fault that Ali got raped. Bakit hindi ko man lang nahulaan sa kilos ni Luke? I'm always a failure. I didn't protect her. It's my fault.

Hindi na ako nagsalita.

We're just silent the whole time. We know each other so much.

Wait...

Do I?

If I know her so much why didn't I trust her?

I shrugged it out. What's important is the present.

I'm glad that we're back together.

*****

I went home with Ali. She insisted na maghohotel na lang s'ya pero syempre hindi ako pumayag. Mom and Dad were shocked. Mom asked me for a minute.

"Keanu, what are you doing????"
"Mom, nakulong daw si Luke?" Kita ko ang gulat sa mukha n'ya. So she knows.
"Anak, I'm sorry hindi ko sinabi. I thought you don't want to hear anything from them, I'm sorry," she said with a teary eye.
"No mom. I understand. Kami na ulit ni Ali."
"Really? Then that's good," she smiled then patted my shoulder.